Fun evening with old friends.

A little over a week ago Jared's old friend Austin, from the band days, invited us over to his parents house to see his new baby boy and to cookout and swim. Austin's new wife had two other kiddos really close in age to Jackson, so it was a real fun time for him too. We all went swimming in the pool, ate grilled goodies, and watched a couple of old band videos...which is always fun(ny). Jackson had so much fun with the other kids, Ty and Alexis, he was so worn out by the end of the evening. Later on, Austin invited us to go for a ride out on the boat. Neither of our kids has ever been on one. My dad had a boat when I was growing up and I loved going out on it, so it was really fun to see if they liked it too. Colin's life jacket was way too big for him, he looked really funny! Jackson loved feeling the wind in his hair. Jared actually went tubbing, and I think he was tired by the end of the ride. We had a really nice time, thanks Austin.

Happy Birthday to ME

I had a great 25th. Thanks for all the emails, phone calls, text messages and voice mails. : )

I walked in the door Thursday night and got my first gift. Sitting on the dining room table, next to a note that said "Happy Birthday, Jared" was a BANJO! Ditta-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding ding. Jamie definitely surprised me. I wasn't expecting anything like that. Those are always to best gifts. I found out afterwards that she pawned some of her old jewelry and drove all the way to Arlington to get it for me. She must love me.... I sure do love her. Thanks, Jamie.

Friday (birthday) my office took me out to lunch and we had some cake later on. I left work early to meet up with Mom, Dad, Jamie and the boys and a few of my good friends in Arlington. We had dinner at Pappasitos and then headed over to the Rangers ballpark. Watching a Rangers game is one of my favorite things to do: good entertainment, good food, good company = good time. There was an awesome fireworks show right after the game, too.

It was a great night. I've had a pretty awesome 25 years so far and looking forward to the next set. Now the pressure is on for Jamies B-day next month. Any ideas?

Jared

5 Years Ago...

Jared and I were a couple of newlyweds, sunbathing on a beautiful Miami beach. Man, how time flys. So, I bet your wondering what great things we did to celebrate our first five years. Well, Jared had taken to whole week off, initially we had planned to take a trip. When that didn't work out, we decided to just stay here and try to finish all of the projects around the house. That didn't really workout either, but he did get the fence finished in the backyard with the help of the missionaries, and it looks GREAT! And he finally was able to get his car fixed so it would pass inspection, so that's a plus. The day of the 4th the church was having a pancake breakfast, but we didn't wake up in time for that. After that, the Lutz's had a ward party at they're house. That was a pretty good time. We had hotdogs and hamburgers off the grill, played kickball, and the kids had water balloon fights. We had decided the night before that we would go to a Rangers game for our anniversary. So we left the Lutz's house to come home and get ready for the game. Then it all gets stressful. We're rushing around, getting the boys stuff all packed for grandmas house, I can't find anything to wear of course, and Jackson's driving us nuts. Colin gets upset because Jackson is messing with him, so I pick him up to move him and in doing so I set him on my bed. I turn around to get something from my closet, and....Thud! Colin hit the floor. I picked him up and he was doing that thing where they cry so hard that nothing comes out, then he went limp. Now, I'm in a panic. Running around the house, trying to find some shoes so I can take my baby to the hospital, certain that I gave him brain damage and I'm a horrible mom. And this entire time Colin's crying, I'm crying, and Jackson now crying too (I know I scared him). But Jared holds it all together. He sits me down with Colin and gives him a blessing, and then I set in the floor with him just to observe any problems that he might have. He was fine though. After talking about it a little more, we decided that he probably just started to pass out from not breathing. And after all of that, we finished getting ready, took the boys to Grandma Abraham's, and went to the game. It was a good game. The Rangers won, and there was a nice firework show afterwards, but the only thing I could think about the whole time was the boys. I was so worried about Colin, and I missed having them there to see the game and the fireworks. And I don't know that Jared had that much fun, because I probably wasn't that much fun to be with. So, now we're shooting for a really happening 10 year anniversary. I think I should start planning now.

Here we are at the game!

Does anyone recognize this picture? Yep, it's our wedding cake. You know, the cake your supposed to eat at your one year anniversary. We have forgotten every year now, so my mom finally sent it home with me because she was tired of it being in her deep freeze.

I brought it home and let it thaw out for a few hours. I took Jackson's picture with it because it occurred to me that the cake was older than him. That was really crazy to me!

And YES, we ate it! "Disgusting" you say? It was actually as good as it was on our wedding day. I figure we should have lots of good luck now.

Fun Summer Days!

For the past few Fridays, a few girls from church (myself included) have been meeting up at the new Weatherford Splashpad with all of our kids. It has really been a lot of fun, and I am finding myself really looking forward to Fridays. It has turned out to be great, because it's HOT. It's about the only thing you can actually do outside right now. It's also the only way that I've been able to get Jackson to spend time outside and with other kids. Win win. Anyway, I thought I'd post a few pictures of our Splashpad fun.

This one's too funny!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

This last week we celebrated Jackson's 4th Birthday. I can't believe he's already that old. We decided not to have a party this year, and just do something as a family. It was soo nice! The celebrating actually last about three days. Thursday, his actual birthday, I sang "Happy Birthday" to him in his bed to wake him up. Thursday was a busy day. I had to take Colin to the Dr. for his 6 month check-up, go visiting teaching, and go to the store to get everything to make his birthday cake. By the time we got home, we were all ready for a nap, but that didn't happen. Jared came home early, and took a nap. My mom came by a little later and brought Jackson his first present. His first bike!

We drove him and the new bike up to the church so he could test drive it.

After a couple of hours of that we were all getting hungry, and Jackson, of course, wanted pizza.

Grandma Abraham and Christy came by later to bring Jackson more presents.

Twister Hopscotch, and some really cool silly straws.

Friday was rather uneventful, it was supposed to be the day to make the cake. I had anticipated Jackson being a big helper, and it being a fun project. Instead I had to do it mostly by myself, and it took all day!

Saturday was a little better, we got up that morning and got ready to take Jackson to the park to ride his new bike down one of the trails. We all got really hot and tired, so we came home and waited on everyone (grandparents)to come over for cake and ice cream.

After we finished our dessert, we left for Arlington to go watch the Rangers!

Colin got to go to his first Rangers game. It looks like he enjoyed it. We had a really good time, it was a really good game too. They won 14-1. With, I think, 3 homeruns. So we got to see the fireworks go off a few times. Grandma and Grandpa Abraham came with us too. It was nice to have everyone there enjoying the game, enjoying the "food", and cheering for the Rangers. We should do it again!

It was a nice birthday for Jackson, I hope we were able to make it memorable for him. He sure is growing up fast, and I often miss that cute little blonde haired, blue eyed baby boy that he once was. He's not so little anymore. I am looking forward, though, to the boy that he will become. I love you more than you will ever know, Jackson. Happy fourth Birthday!